National investigation of bisphenols in the surface soil in China

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 956; p. 177319
• Main Authors: Weng, Chang-Yu, Zhang, Ying-Ying, Zhu, Fu-Jie, Jia, Shi-Ming, Ma, Wan-Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.12.2024
• Subjects: Bisphenols; Exposure assessment; National Scale; Source identification; Spatial distribution; Surface soil; Spatial distribution; Source identification; Bisphenols; Surface soil; Exposure assessment; National Scale
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177319

The long-term production and extensive use have resulted in the widespread presence of bisphenols (BPs) in the environment. In order to clarify the pollution characteristics and potential sources of BPs, the national scale surface soil samples were collected in China in 2019. The results demonstrated that 32 target BPs existed widely in soil with the highest concentration for bisphenol A (BPA), and at least 2 BPs were detected in each sample. The total concentration of Σ32BPs (from 0.387 to 713 ng/g) exhibited a stepwise decrease from southeastern coast to inland regions, and due to the presence of more pollution sources concentrations of Σ32BPs in urban areas were slightly higher than rural areas. The different industrial structures (such as plastics, epoxy resins, and thermal paper) may be the important factors for the different pollution levels between southeastern coast and other regions. In addition, the high organic matter content in soil and low temperature may be the reasons for high concentrations of Σ32BPs in Northeast China. The results of source identification using the Positive Matrix Factorization model indicated that BPs in soil were originated from three sources: old sources represented by BPA, relatively new sources characterized by bisphenol S, and sources from specific industries using bisphenol F. The estimated daily intake indicated that BPA exposure through soil accounted for only a small proportion of the total exposure compared to other exposure routes, and the risk by BPA in soil can be negligible to human health. In summary, the study provided basic pollution information of BPs in Chinese surface soil for future related studies. [Display omitted] •Pollution characteristics of bisphenols in surface soil across China in 2019 were studied.•32 BPs existed widely in surface soil with the highest concentration for bisphenol A.•High concentrations were observed in the southeastern coast regions and urban areas.•Three major sources of BPs were identified by the PMF model.•The study provided basic pollution information of BPs in Chinese surface soil.